)As is normal with RTP concerts, Srivalsan started with the varnam, this time a Adi thala Thodi varnam preceded by a brief outline of the raga using "Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya". Vinayaka Stuthi followed with the Hamsadwani piece, "Vinaayaka ninnu vina brochutaku". A few rounds of kalpana swaram for "paramakrupaa saagara" were impressive. Before plunging into the RTP, the artist, presented the Panthuvarali piece, "Sundara Tharadeham Vandeyham Raamam" with alapanai. Neraval and swarams were at "Raagaadi Samhaaram Raghavamudhaaram". This portion of the concert itself took 55 minutes.
The ragam chosen for RTP was Karaharapriya. He split up the alapanai into four sections slowly developing the raga with its various shades, pitches and speeds. Each section was followed by Nagaraj's violin reply. It should be said that the violin transformed the good concert into an excellent concert. The structures and variations that Nagaraj could employ at each stage, on occasions did outshine the vocalist. It was acknowledged by the spontaneous applause by the audience. Srivalsan himself heartily acknowledged the mastery of his accompanying violinist. (The second segment of the alapanai sounded like an undefined raga. I thought it may be some kind of ragamalika prayogam. But Nagaraj during his turn brought back the clarity of KHP) Thanam was also well structered and immensely enjoyable. The percussion accompanyment was used during the thanam which is not quite common. Branching out the thanam into the five Gana Ragams namely Naattai, Gowla, Aarabhi, Varali and Sree, the artists gave a comprehensive treatment to this section of the concert.
The pallavi line chosen was on Anjaneya- " Sree Maaruthi Sevitha Raghava- Raama Dhoota Gaana Lola " set to Khanda triputa tala with two akshara eduppu. After a beautiful delivery of the pallavi including trikaalam, Srivalsan went on to swaraprasthaaram in ragas Bhowli, Sahana, Amrithavarshini and Anandabhairavi.
The essence of any carnatic concert is the manodharma of the artist. Being an RTP concert, only a few songs could be sung. But at the same time inclusion of detailed presentation of various ragas through thanam and swaram made the programme a wholesome treat to the music lover.
Srivalsan Menon's voice comes with the same intensity throughout the three staayis without any diminution. Also the perfect sruthi alignment, made his concert which ran for more than three hours a very good listening experience. The percussion duo, without doubt enhanced the status of the concert by an understanding support to the main artists.
. I wish I had heard atleast this RTP.